PNG Basketball

Both senior men’s and women’s national team qualified for the Games following their overall performance in the FIBA Melanesian Cup held in Fiji in October last year. The board will go through the list before it is sent to the PNG Olympic Committee for justification. Once the selection process is complete an official announcement will be made.

The teams will be looking to start preparations early once the board endorses the list PNG will feature among other Pacific Island countries including Australia and New Zealand who will participate at the Pacific Games.

Khalu served as PNG's national team head coach for 2012 to 2017.

Khalu believes that focusing on teaching fundamental basketball skills well, especially to the younger ages, the playing standard throughout the country will rise.

FIBA Competitions Manager, Amanda Jenkins Khalu had been instrumental in the growth of PNG which culminated in a massive performance in last year's Melanesia Cup.

Meantime Khalu is observing the current National Championships which will determine who will join the pool of players to be considered for their 20-19 Pacific Games.

Growing up, Moi Muri's world was ruled by raskols.

Murder and mayhem are the trademarks of these merciless street gangs and he was lucky to escape with his life.

Many others didn't.

Moi and his wife Joyce are still grieving the loss of their youngest son, Bomai, a teenage basketball star killed in a car-jacking gone wrong.

"I've seen many things," he says.

"Some I want to forget. I sometimes got involved. It was right in my face."

Samoa led in the first quarter 22-14 but PNG bounced back to take over 43-35 at half time.

PNG maintained the lead in the third quarter thanks to key players Allan Wright, Purari Muri, Gabriel Elavo and Matiineng Leahy taking their score up 59-48.

Despite height advantage, Samoa couldn’t keep up with the fast play by the home team.

This is PNG’s fifth win out of six games taking them to the top four.

PNG coach Joel Khalu was pleased with the boys’ performance and is confident PNG will make it to the medal playoffs.

They are basketball, touch football, soccer and table tennis.

Team PNG will start its gold medal campaign on home soil with our male touch team taking on Kiribati at the Bisini Sports Ground at 9am while our female team takes on Tonga at 12 noon.

Our mens touch team will play their second game at 2pm against Solomon Islands.  PNG mens soccer will play New Caledonia at 3pm.

Table tennis will be played at  the Caritas Hall in East Boroko from 9am to 7pm. PNG mens basketball will end the day when they taking on New Caledonia at the Taurama Aquatic Arena.